Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - June 4, 2025

The Lake Havasu City Planning and Zoning Commission met on June 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM UTC (though the transcript opens with 'Good morning,' suggesting a possible discrepancy in the recorded time). The meeting covered three public hearing items: a rezone and amended development plan for a townhome project at 700 Delta Drive, and two related applications for a minor general plan amendment and rezone of parcels on Anita Avenue. All three items received unanimous 7-0 recommendations for approval to the City Council. Staff also provided updates on the General Plan update, including 758 survey responses received as of May 21, 2025.

Correspondence & Announcements

• Staff reported that the Sunset Ridge at Riviera PD amendment was approved by City Council (with a height reduction from 60 to 45 feet).
• The draft Existing Conditions Report for the General Plan update is complete; the Technical Advisory Committee will review it, with a public version expected in July 2025.
• The first General Plan questionnaire received 758 responses as of May 21, 2025, with 78% from Lake Havasu City and the rest from 61 other cities and two countries.
• The Steering Committee has been selected and will hold its first meeting in late June 2025.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the May 7, 2025 regular meeting were approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearings for any of the three agenda items, nor during the call to the public at the end of the meeting.

Discussion Items

1. ID 254811 – Rezone and Amended General Development Plan for 700 Delta Drive

• Proposal: Amend the existing multifamily planned development (RMPD) to replace a previously approved 78-unit apartment building (37 units/acre) with 45 three-story townhomes (22 units/acre), a density increase from 20 to 22 units/acre was requested and granted.
• Staff Presentation: The 2.16-acre vacant site is at 700 Delta Drive near McCulloch Boulevard. The new plan reduces density and height (42 feet to roof peak, but grading will lower the site to comply with the 30-foot height limit from McCulloch Boulevard). The applicant requested a density exception from 20 to 22 units/acre.
• Applicant Presentation: Mack Hall (Irish Development Services) stated the units are all three-bedroom townhomes, intended for workforce housing, with some to be leased to the developer's employees and possibly others sold. Grading will drop the site 12-15 feet to meet height requirements.
• Commission Questions: Inquiries about grading, unit sizes, parking for boats/trailers (garages are deep enough for larger vehicles, no dedicated guest parking beyond a few spaces), and whether a traffic study was needed (not required by Public Works due to reduced density).
• Staff Recommendation: Approve with conditions including substantial conformity to the development plan, addressing agency comments, site improvements per Public Works (curb, gutter, alley widening), and building permits/design review.

2. ID 254802 – Minor General Plan Amendment for Anita Avenue Parcels

• Proposal: Change the future land use designation for five lots (2441-2449 Anita Avenue, 0.7 acres) from Low Density Residential (LDR) to High Density Residential (HDR) to facilitate a multifamily project.
• Staff Presentation: The vacant parcels are between Avalon Avenue and Pebble Drive. Adjacent properties: east is C1 commercial, south/north are R2 residential, west is R1. The amendment is consistent with General Plan goals. This is the first step; a rezone follows.
• Commission Questions: Commissioner Stevenson asked about the commercial strip narrowing; staff confirmed the adjacent commercial lots remain C1, and the three lots east of them are being developed as R1 single-family.
• Staff Recommendation: Approve as conforming to General Plan policies.

3. ID 254803 – Rezone of Anita Avenue Parcels from C1 to R3

• Proposal: Rezone the same 0.7-acre parcels from Limited Commercial (C1) to Residential Limited Multifamily (R3) to allow five duplexes (10 units) with a central courtyard and parking.
• Staff Presentation: The property is vacant. The adjacent C1 lot has deed restrictions for common parking serving C1 uses; the rezone will not affect that because the parking requirement applies only to the remaining C1 properties.
• Commission Questions: Commissioner Lair asked about the common parking arrangement for the adjacent C1 parcels; staff clarified that the deed restrictions require parking for C1 uses, and the rezone does not alter that obligation. The remaining C1 lots will need to complete the parking strip when developed.
• Staff Recommendation: Approve as compliant with Development Code findings.

Key Outcomes

• ID 254811 (700 Delta Drive): Motion to recommend approval to City Council (with conditions) passed 7-0. The item will go to the July 8, 2025 City Council meeting.
• ID 254802 (Anita Avenue GPA): Motion to recommend approval to City Council passed 7-0. The item will go to the July 8, 2025 City Council meeting.
• ID 254803 (Anita Avenue Rezone): Motion to recommend approval to City Council passed 7-0. The item will go to the July 8, 2025 City Council meeting.
• Next Meeting: The June 18, 2025 meeting was canceled due to lack of items. The next scheduled meeting is July 2, 2025, with a likely agenda.